Boring Haircut? Here's 11 Ways to Change Your Hairstyle

Choose Your Colors Wisely

Telling you to “try new hair colors” may not feel like the most novel of ideas at first. But perhaps your hangup on dyes and bleach is that they feel too permanent—and because you know they can significantly hinder your hair’s quality. Ruggeri points out that this is particularly risky for those with thinning hair.

However, a new color—or even a slightly different one—might be the ticket to feeling brand new. If it’s your first attempt at a color change, Nguyen suggests trying a semi-permanent dye first. “This type of hair dye coats the surface of the hair shaft and doesn’t change the actual hair color. You can try on the color for size, and if you don’t like it or want to move on to another color without going through a harsh chemical process, semi-permanent hair dye washes out [in up to six weeks] so that you can comfortably start over.” Other dyes and bleaches can penetrate the hair cuticle and break down protein bonds within your hair. This sometimes leads to fraying, breaking, and even follicular damage. 

Once you decide on a new permanent color, it’s highly recommended that you go to a salon to have it professionally colored and treated and get tailored advice on preserving the quality of your hair. Doing all of this will significantly preserve the strength and "stylability" of your hair. It’s all one big commitment, so treat it as such.

Consider Highlights, Balayage, or a Gloss

If you don't want to commit to a single-process color but want to lighten or darken your hair, Ruggeri suggests one alternative to dyeing that also works well in transforming one’s look: “Highlighting is a great alternative to ‘on-scalp procedures,” he says. “With it, you have the ability to lighten parts of the hair and build more visual texture."

Even though it may require a visit to the salon, Ramirez says a good way to switch up your haircut or look is to get a gloss in a shade or two darker than your natural color. "It’ll make your hair look healthier and richer," he says. "A subtle balayage would also make a huge difference without being too high maintenance."

These color options do not damage your follicles, which is a bonus for those whose remaining hairs feel more precious every day.

While you can switch around products and try different ways and tools to style your hair, Ramirez doesn't recommend coloring or trying any type of chemical process at home. "Don't cut hair yourself, either. Leave all of that to the professionals; it’s safer and better for your hair," he says.

Account for Your Head Shape

If you’re stuck on an old style—or if you’re wondering what the best new one will be—then first, you may want to consider your head shape and whether or not a specific style complements it. While anyone can rock any style and look amazing, Nguyen notes that he assesses each of his clients’ heads when giving them a cut or a fade and acts accordingly so the style will grow out in a maintainable shape. “Not all head shapes are suited for a high and tight, and not all head shapes are suited for a low drop fade,” he says, “High and tight fades are great for those who are wider at the parietal ridge of the head.” (It’s the widest part of your head, on the upper sides). “Doing this slims out that area, giving more of a square shape. It also keeps the haircut's shape from flaring out when it grows out in a few weeks. Mid fades, and low fades are ideal for people who are narrower at the parietal ridge because it builds weight in that area to give the haircut a square shape.” 

Switch Up Your Hair Products

If you want to do more with what you already have, then there’s one product you may be overlooking.

“Volumizing powder is the key to transformations,” Ruggeri says, adding that his favorite is David Mallett Volume Powder ($41). It works as a dry shampoo to absorb excess oils at the base of your hair but instantly lifts, separates, and defines the hair, giving you volume and texture to take a limp or lifeless style and turn it into something more vibrant and intentional. Be sure to target your hair's roots with the powder because that’s where the hair gets weighed down on the day or two after a full shampoo.

It's always a good idea to consult with your stylist for product recommendations, especially if you're unsure of your hair type. "If your hair is on the finer side, avoid oils or oil-based products. Oils are heavy and will make the hair appear finer or thin," says Ramirez. "If your hair is on the drier side, try a product with a more milky consistency or a light-on-oil product."

Product choice is also based on the type of style you're going for. Take, for example, a classic slicked-back hairstyle. Ramirez recommends a strong-hold gel and good strong-hold hairspray. "The gel is more for control—but not too much of it—on damp hair, and the hairspray for hold," he says. If you are going for a more natural, effortless look, I recommend a light paste to stop or control the frizz or texture of the hair."

Try a Blow Dryer

Some people think of a blow dryer as a device that makes their hair dry faster. While that is technically correct, the tool’s additional task is to assist in manipulating your hair into doing precisely what you want it to, whether you’re locking in a style, activating a hair product, or adding volume and body. It can make a huge difference in how your hair maintains your intended look throughout the day, but a blow dryer can also wreak havoc on your hair long-term, so using one requires some baseline intel. “The main key is not to put the dryer on full heat,” Ruggeri says. “Just put the temperature on halfway.” Start with a pre-styling heat protectant spray to help shield each hair strand from heat damage (and thus breakage, frizzing, splitting, and more).

Reframe Your Face

Back to the topic of geometry: With hairstyles, a simple change might lie in the proportions of your face itself. This means you can move your side to the middle or the other side—or eliminate it. You can sweep your hair back instead of combing it to the side, or you can let it all fall overtop of your forehead instead of styling it back at all.

“It helps change the focus,” Ruggeri says. “It can help people focus on your eyes or your mouth or even see different angles of your face.” In this way, your hairstyle may change very little, aside from how other people see it.

Because there are many shapes and lengths that may best complement your features, face shape, and hair type, Rivera recommends consulting with a stylist before changing your look.

Consider the Hard Part

Maybe there’s a hard part in your future. These are buzzed or shaved into the part of your hair instead of those “soft” parts that are simply naturally occurring or are combed in.

“I personally like this option on clients who want the hair on the parted side very short,” Nguyen says. He especially likes seeing a switch between hard and soft parts because it refreshes a look without changing one’s entire vibe. “When the part grows in, it is less obvious and blends in with the length on the sides. If the hair along that parting is too long, there will be noticeable fuzz growing back within two weeks. If the client doesn’t mind coming back for another touch-up in two weeks, I say go for it."

Rivera notes it's "best not to fight with your natural part and just go with it." So, if your hair tends to be stubborn, you might want to reconsider a hard part as it could be high maintenance and more work for you down the line.

Ask Your Barber to Texturize (or to Stop if You’re Thinning)

If you’re growing your hair or wearing it more than a couple of inches long, you should try layering and texturizing it. These two things help distinguish intentional hairstyles from an indifferent, overgrown look. However, layering and texturizing are both things that only your barber or stylist can manage (though, as we outlined before, some products can also give you a texture boost at home).

“Proper layering is crucial to balancing the shape of the haircut,” Nguyen says, “Those with thick, dense hair would benefit from being cut with more layers and textures to add more movement. Less dense hair needs more weight to look fuller. Therefore, it would benefit from having fewer layers cut in to maintain the fullness. If the same amount of texture is given to the person with fine, less dense hair, it would completely flatten the hair and make it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve volume.”

Go Shorter...Gradually

If you have a lot of hair (or even a medium amount) and want to try something much shorter, try something more gradual that is en route to the buzz since you have hair to work with.

“Consider some stylish options by taking the hair shorter in stages,” Nguyen says. Let’s say you have long hair but want to try something more adventurous—a modern spin on the mullet, even—then you have all the material to do so. So why waste the chance? After that, you could go for a classic gentleman’s haircut, then finish with a clean crew fade over a few months. 

“Try it all,” Ruggeri adds, suggesting that if you can grow your hair long, do it at least once. “You never know if thinning hair is in your future, and there is always time for short, predictable styles.”

Work With What You Have

You don't have to bust out the buzzer and clippers if you want to change your hairstyle. Work with what you have by simply styling your hair differently.  

"Longer styles can be slicked back for a more dramatic look, or you can sport a bun," says Rivera, who notes that styling products make a huge difference in the appearance of your hair. If your hair is medium to long, try mixing a quarter-size of mousse along with a dime-size of gel. Let it emulsify in your hands and distribute evenly throughout the hair to give the hair volume and hold."

Ramirez notes that anything classic is always easy to change or grow out, so if you're a member of this camp, consider your job half done. "A classic haircut can be changed without having to do too much or do any drastic changes. A little clean up around the hairline or a little texturizing will keep fresh and low maintenance," he says.

Start Fresh with a Buzz Cut

If you are ready for a big change or simply want to start from scratch (especially if your hair has damage), then go for the buzz cut. "It brings a fresh new start and [is] extremely easy to maintain," says Rivera of the style.